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Why participate in any legal dispute if you do not wish to obtain the best legal result possible under the factual and legal circumstances of your case. Help level the playing field with the following online services offered exclusively by The Virtual Law Firm to unrepresented parties and small law offices:
Generally, an appeal may only be taken from a final order or judgment in a case. An appeal usually entails a review of the record and briefs by the appellate courts. The appellate courts determine whether there were errors of law in the proceedings or in the judgment appealed and whether there was evidence introduced at trial to support the findings and conclusions of the trial court. New evidence is not accepted on appeal as the appellate courts review the decisions of the lower tribunals. Appellate cases require the assistance of competent, legal counsel. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here.
Arbitration is a process in which parties agree to present their dispute
to a third-party neutral. Arbitration differs from mediation in that
the third-party neutral presides over a formal hearing at which evidence
is presented, arguments are made, and the Arbitrator is empowered to
render a legally binding decision. Arbitration is generally a court-ordered
process but the parties can agree to submit their disputes to binding
or nonbinding arbitration. It has the benefits of being cost-effective
and less time consuming than litigation. Arbitration offers some degree
of control over the costs associated with a conflict. Contrary to popular belief, courts of law are not organized to give every person an opportunity for a full and fair hearing under all circumstances. Courts govern themselves according to specific rules. A litigant’s success or failure, with or without legal counsel, oftentimes depends upon a thorough understanding and thoughtful application of these rules to the legal, factual and procedural circumstances in a particular case. A case evaluation will allow you to learn the rules applicable to your particular case and better enable you to determine whether you wish to represent yourself or retain competent, legal counsel. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. Although oral agreements may be legally enforceable, these agreements are usually worth the paper on which they are written. Generally, parties to contract disputes disagree as to the terms and conditions of the contract or whether there was ever an agreement at all. Further, there are some agreements that must be in writing to be legally enforceable. The purpose of a contract is to record the terms and conditions of an agreement to allow the enforcement of those terms and conditions. In addition to setting forth the terms and conditions of the parties, a contract should anticipate foreseeable problems and state how the parties wish to address such problems should they arise. Competent legal counsel should be employed to draft contracts. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. Some people feel confident that they can set forth the terms and conditions of their agreement without the assistance of legal counsel. Even so, it is still advisable to seek review of your agreement by competent legal counsel. Contract review entails examination of a contract by an attorney to determine what, if any, changes should be made to the contract prior to execution by the parties. Contract review further entails examination of a contract to determine a party’s legal rights or obligations under the contract after execution. Oftentimes, parties agreeable to drafting their own agreements consider the transaction “friendly.” As the parties anticipate a “friendly” transaction and view the agreement as a mere formality, they rarely include terms that anticipate breach or offer security to guarantee performance. Contract review is advisable under all cases where parties draft their own contracts without the assistance of legal counsel or where one party to the transaction is represented by legal counsel. Depending upon the quality of the contract, terms will be proposed to supplement the contract or contract drafting will be recommended. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. The Rules of Civil Procedure allow the parties to civil litigation to engage in discovery. Discovery requires the opposing party in litigation to answer questions under oath, either in person or in writing; to admit or deny certain facts or circumstances; or to produce documents and other things as requested. Under some circumstances, parties may require other parties to submit to physical or mental examination. Discovery should be tailored to establishing or rebutting claims and defenses in the litigation. More importantly, your case can be dismissed if you do not respond to discovery requests in the time allowed by law or in the format required by the rules. The Virtual Law Firm can assist you in preparing your discovery requests as well as your discovery responses. The Virtual Law Firm can also assist you in compelling the opposing party to respond to your discovery requests or in seeking protection from the courts when the opposing party is seeking to compel your responses or to dismiss your case and sanction you for failing to respond appropriately. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. Whether you desire litigation avoidance or litigation support, it may be helpful to seek document preparation to ensure compliance with applicable rules. Parties to litigation cannot simply contact the courts to request the relief sought. Parties must file written motions and other pleadings with the court to request the relief sought. Parties seeking to avoid litigation are more likely to do so if they communicate their legal grounds for relief in writing. The Virtual Law Firm can assist you in preparing your legal documents and correspondences. Unlike other document preparation services, each legal document prepared by The Virtual Law Firm will be prepared by or under the supervision of an attorney based upon the facts and circumstances of your particular case. The Virtual Law Firm does not offer automated forms or documents prepared by non-attorneys without the supervision of an attorney. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. The Virtual Law Firm can assist you in reviewing legal documents, such as legal pleadings, wills, deeds, and insurance policies. In a document review, an attorney will interpret and explain the legal significance of the terms and provisions of a legal document. The Virtual Law Firm recommends that any legal document be reviewed by an attorney before execution (signing). Once executed, the document may be binding upon you regardless of whether you intended to agree to a particular provision or whether you fully understood the terms and conditions of the document. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. A legal pleading is required to commence civil litigation and to respond to civil litigation. If no responsive pleading is filed within the time allowed by law and in the manner required by law, a court can enter a judgment granting the relief sought by the opposing party or dismissing your claims. It may be helpful to seek preparation of legal pleadings by an attorney to ensure compliance with applicable rules. The Virtual Law Firm can assist you in preparing legal pleadings and other documents necessary to prosecute or defend your case. Unlike other document preparation services, each legal document prepared by The Virtual Law Firm will be prepared by or under the supervision of an attorney based upon the facts and circumstances of your particular case. The Virtual Law Firm does not offer automated forms or documents prepared by non-attorneys without the supervision of an attorney. Your pleadings will be specific to the facts and circumstances of your case. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. The Virtual Law Firm can assist you in a number of ways
to avoid unnecessary litigation. Oftentimes, litigation results from
one or more parties not understanding their legal rights and obligations
or the remedies available to them in a legal dispute. The Virtual Law
Firm offers case evaluation services and negotiation support services prior
to institution of litigation. The Virtual Law Firm may be able to help
you to focus your energies on finding a solution rather than concentrating
on the problem.
If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for Litigation Avoidance, please click here. The Virtual Law Firm offers pro se litigants an opportunity to maintain control of litigation while having competent legal assistance for an affordable fee on an as needed basis. Oftentimes, the pro se litigant simply needs assistance preparing legal documents or formulating an effective legal strategy. The Virtual Law Firm can assist as follows:
Legal Pleadings include:
A defendant/respondent may wish to assert claims against the plaintiff or against another defendant in a lawsuit.
Under some circumstances, a party to the litigation may
bring other parties into the litigation. Under other circumstances, a
person not a party to litigation may seek to intervene in the litigation
as a plaintiff or a defendant. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here.
Mediation is a process in which parties agree to discuss their dispute
with a third-party neutral. Mediation differs from arbitration in that
the third-party neutral does not preside over a formal hearing at which
evidence is presented and arguments are made. Unlike an Arbitrator,
the Mediator is not empowered to render a legally binding decision.
Instead, the Mediator attempts to assist the parties in reaching a
mutually agreeable resolution. Mediation is generally a court-ordered
process but the parties can agree to submit their disputes to mediation.
It has the benefits of being confidential, cost effective, and less
time consuming than litigation. Mediation also offers predictability
and control over the costs associated with a conflict. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. In most instances, a court will take no action unless requested by a party to do so. A motion is used to request relief from the court. Parties representing themselves oftentimes lose because they either do not know how to seek relief from the court or do not know how to respond when the opposing party seeks relief from the court. The response required depends upon the motion filed with the court. The Virtual Law Firm can assist you in preparing motions or responses to motions. The Virtual Law Firm can also explain your likelihood of success in prosecuting or defending a motion. Most Common Civil Motions Motion for Extension of Time Motion for More Definite Statement Motion to Strike Motion to Change Venue Motion to Transfer to Proper Division Motion for Injunctive Relief Motion for Declaratory Judgment Motion for Joinder Discovery Motion to Dismiss Motion for Sanctions Motion to Compel Discovery Motion for New Trial Motion for Relief from Order Motion for Contempt/Show Cause Order Motion for Interim Distribution of Property If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. In addition to assisting you with the evaluation and the prosecution or defense of your case, The Virtual Law Firm can offer guidance in the negotiation and settlement of your case either through Alternative Dispute Resolution or direct negotiation with the opposing party or his or her attorney. Oftentimes, unrepresented parties refuse to settle their cases because they do not know whether the proposed settlement is fair. An unrepresented party must realize that neither the opposing party nor his or her attorney have an ethical obligation to ensure that a settlement is fair to the unrepresented party. You have an opportunity to seek independent legal counsel before settling your case or resolving your dispute. If you fail to do so, you accept responsibility if a settlement is not fair to you. The Virtual Law Firm can assist you by consulting with you regarding settlement or by assisting you in negotiating an appropriate resolution. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. If your case has made it to trial, then you have indubitably been unable to resolve your case by Alternative Dispute Resolution or negotiation with the other party. Now, your case must be heard by a judge or jury to determine the facts and to apply the law to those facts. At this point, you have little control over the outcome of your case. However, you do have an opportunity to explain your position to the court. The Virtual Law Firm can assist you by drafting a trial brief to submit to the court to assist you in arguing motions to limit the scope of the evidence introduced at trial. The trial brief can also be used to anticipate objections to the introduction of evidence you should make at trial and your responses to objections which can be reasonably anticipated from the evidence expected to be offered at trial. A trial brief can bridge the gap between the party’s legal counsel and your lack of legal knowledge, training and experience. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. A good attorney rarely encounters surprises at trial. Attorneys engage in discovery, interview witnesses and perform legal research prior to trial to determine what evidence should be admitted and what evidence should be excluded at trial. Attorneys usually draft a script of questions as a guide to ensure that the necessary evidence is presented to the judge or jury. While an attorney must remain flexible and alter the line of questioning depending upon the responses of the witnesses and the rulings of the court on objections, the good attorney prepares an outline to ensure that evidence is presented to satisfy all elements of the claim or defense asserted. Likewise, you should prepare your questions for trial to ensure that you are eliciting the evidence you need to prove your case. If you take your legal matter seriously, you will not attend trial unprepared. The Virtual Law Firm can assist you in preparing your witness interviews and trial questions prior to trial. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. Attorneys prepare for trial. You must prepare for trial as well. Do not be deceived into believing the court will hold you to a lesser standard than it will hold the other party’s attorney. A party chooses whether to be represented by an attorney or self-represented. If you are proceeding to trial without legal counsel, it is very important for you to plan your trial strategy. As you have not resolved the legal matter through Alternative Dispute Resolution or negotiation, you obviously believe you have some likelihood of success on the merits of your case. Better your chances of winning by using The Virtual Law Firm to evaluate your likelihood of success and to assist you in planning your trial strategy. If you wish to engage The Virtual Law Firm for this service, please click here. |
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